Addressing what he described as the ‘despicable lunatic fringe’ of Florida State fans, ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit succinctly explained why the undefeated Seminoles were omitted from the College Football Playoff: ‘Alabama is BETTER!! Period!’

And Herbstreit wasn’t finished: ‘So is Texas. So is Michigan. So is Washington. So is Oregon. So is Georgia.’

The ‘Noles faithful have been justifiably upset since they were overlooked by the College Football Playoff selection committee, which opted instead for one-loss Texas and Alabama despite FSU’s 13-0 season ending in another ACC title. Undefeated Washington and Michigan were also named to the four-team field.

Complicating the selection committee’s decision was a season-ending leg injury to Florida State QB Jordan Travis, as well as the Seminoles’ strength of schedule, or lack thereof.

But to Herbstreit, coach Mike Norvell’s team simply didn’t pass the eye test: ‘I watch 10-15 games a week live from September-early December. I think I’m allowed to have an opinion on who I think is BETTER!!’

Kirk Herbstreit

FSU coach Mike Norvell

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said he is a ‘a huge fan of [Florida State] Coach [Mike] Norvell’ (right)

FSU fans during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies  on October 7, 2023 in Tallahassee

FSU fans during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies  on October 7, 2023 in Tallahassee

College Football Playoff chair Boo Corrigan previously explained that Travis’ injury hurt the Seminoles’ CFP resume because the committee is tasked with picking the four best teams – not necessarily the most deserving.

And from where Herbstreit is sitting, FSU can’t compete with Alabama or Texas – particularly without Travis.

‘If FSU doesn’t like [it is not] ‘The BEST 4’ tell the conference commissioners to change the protocol to ‘MOST DESERVING,’ he wrote. ‘Until then I and everyone else is certainly is allowed to give an opinion in a subjective discussion!! Don’t like it-change it.’

And given Herbstreit’s impressive memory about all things football, he was easily able to cite a counterexample to FSU’s allegations of a rigged College Football Playoff system.

FSU lost to rival Miami in 2000, but was still picked over 'The U' for the national title game

FSU lost to rival Miami in 2000, but was still picked over ‘The U’ for the national title game

Back in 2000, when the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) called the shots, the 11-1 Seminoles were picked to appear in the national title game against undefeated Oklahoma despite the fact that FSU fell to 11-1 Miami that season.

In the end, the Seminoles were embarrassed in the national championship, losing 13-2 to the Sooners.

‘Its [sic] funny when FSU went ahead of The U [Miami] in 2000 after [Char-ron] Dorsey and the boys beat the Noles and FSU went instead of a deserving Canes team to the BCS Championship where they lost to Oklahoma I didn’t hear from all of you about the system being rigged and it’s not fair,’ Herbstreit continued. ‘You were big fans of the turnout back then-of course most of you, in this despicable lunatic fringe, probably didn’t even know about 2000 when the Noles got the benefit over a GREAT Miami team!’

Herbstreit concluded his online rant by reminding Seminoles fan what, exactly, he’s paid to do for ESPN.

Herbstreit addressed what he described as the 'despicable lunatic fringe' of Florida State fans

Herbstreit addressed what he described as the ‘despicable lunatic fringe’ of Florida State fans

Much of Herbstreit's career has been spent working with FSU alum Lee Corso (left in 2002)

Much of Herbstreit’s career has been spent working with FSU alum Lee Corso (left in 2002)

‘I have to give an opinion on who I think the best 4 teams are,’ he wrote. ‘I’m not on the committee-I don’t vote-I watch games-I analyze teams and I give my take. That’s it.

‘And if you think I have an agenda or a motive I’m sorry you feel that way but it’s wrong. I love this sport and care about it deeply and can’t make everyone happy-I ask questions of the commissioners in the offseason to understand things clearly-Watch games and give my opinion.

‘If it’s for your team you love me and if it’s against you hate me. I wish it were different and hopefully next year with 12 teams it will be,’ Herbsteit added, referring to the expanded playoff format. ‘I am a huge fan of Coach [Mike] Norvell’s and his team and wish the Noles nothing but the best.’

Florida State is scheduled to face defending-champion Georgia in the Orange Bowl on December 30, while the CFP gets underway on January 1 with the Rose Bowl between Michigan and Alabama followed by Washington and Texas in the Sugar Bowl.

The winners will square off in the CFP National Championship on January 8.

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Post source: Daily mail

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